Texas Nabs Predators On MySpace

With Help Of Social-Networking Site, Convicted Sex Offenders Were Caught For Probation Violation

(CBS)  MySpace, the social-networking site, is so popular with kids and young people that it registers a quarter-million new profiles every day. But for the first time, MySpace is giving up the names of the sex offenders among them, CBS News correspondent Hari Sreenivasan.

A bust in Texas on Thursday brought in guys like 49-year-old Patrick Blevins of Houston, who did eight years behind bars for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He was released in 2004, but authorities say his page on MySpace.com violated his parole by being on the Internet.

"Mr. Blevins' arrest highlights the gravity and urgency of the situation we are dealing with," said Texas attorney general Greg Abbott. "These predators are incorrigible; they will stop at nothing in order to try and find their next victim."

Blevins was one of seven sex offenders caught after MySpace, the world's largest online social network — and especially popular with teens — agreed last month to start cross-referencing its user information with sex offender registries.

None of those arrested in Texas is known to have committed any new crimes, but investigators are still working with MySpace to identify possible victims.

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Read more about MySpace and Internet predators

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"We wanted to arrest these people as quickly as possible," Abbott said.

Texas is one of two dozen states now getting information MySpace to identity sex offenders who might be trolling the Internet.

"Parents need to understand there are predators on the Internet who are more vicious than those who used to lurk in parks or playgrounds," Abbott said.

[leopoldthelm]

What has that got to do with logging onto the Internet? Do you feel that women are incapable of passing along morals, teaching children about sexual predators and safety online?

The women are very capable, but she has to do everything! While she is cooking, cleaning, working, washing, shopping, etc,; after she has taught the morals, someone needs to be on guard to make sure that the rules are being followed!

The women are doing too much!

[moonfire1-2009]

I suggest that people read these proposed laws very carefully and from a neutral view point (in other words through logic and common sense not emotion and fear.)

They have some good stuff they want to do, like;

"toughen penalties for promoting child prostitution or producing child porn. "

People have to read all of the proposed laws, etc. Many times politicians leave key factors out when they talk with the public. I guess they see us as to stupid to comprehend it all. Or maybe it is for other reasons, I don't know. But I have learned never to outright trust any politician. It is not paranoia, just based on the fact that there are to many examples of corrupt politicians in office and formerly in office. They seem to be more interested in doing what they want and distracting us from that.

[jolsonbear]

Something rally need to be done about the vicious children taking advantage of older men.

[arohanui-2009]

I am glad I am a baby boomer and raised my three children WITHOUT a computer in the house. Poor things played sports, hung out at friends places,kicked the footie with the neighbour's kids in the backyard, walked to the local shops, rode their bikes and then sat down at the dinner table each night to talk about their day before they did homework, read a book or watched a bit of TV.
And now they are all in successful careers and law abiding citizens in good relationships. All this, without Myspace to maintain their social networks lol

[wiccantexan]

I am getting a huge laugh out of this. Why? Well I have heard people say they do this to stay in contact with family or friends. So what you are telling me is that there is no other way to keep up with them other then MySpace?
Posted by moonfire1 at 03:41 PM : Jun 15, 2007

No, it means that is one way we like to. Blogging is becoming a usual way for many folks to socialize, especially if they have vastly differing schedules and cannot see each other in person that often. If minor relatives choose MySpace, then I'll meet them there.

[moonfire1-2009]

Page 1/2

I am getting a huge laugh out of this. Why? Well I have heard people say they do this to stay in contact with family or friends. So what you are telling me is that there is no other way to keep up with them other then MySpace?

For the safety of all children, wouldn't it be better to have separate things anyway? I find it funny that people some how think the only dangers are from the people they know about. Well I am sorry. I am cautious around everyone and I tell my kids that as well. Just because someone doesn't appear to be a danger does NOT mean they are not a danger.

I don't like MySpace, I think the whole idea for a combined social network for all ages is a time bomb for all sorts of problems. However I am familiar with various forms of social network scripts, etc.

Now everyone is talking about safety. Let me ask you this. I do know that MySpace has a privacy option. If this is being used then only people that can access a persons page are those on their list. If, as some people have stated, it is only used for family members to stay in touch with each other, then why would someone make it public? Also why would parents allow their children to have public profiles when the dangers online come from more places then just *** offenders?

[moonfire1-2009]

Part 2/2

Now from the home front. Where are parents when their children are online? Again, why would parents allow their kids profiles, etc, to be made public? Also their are many ways to monitor a child's internet activities without being over their shoulder 24/7. There are also free ways to limit and filter material kids can access online, one good, free program that comes to mind is K9 Web Protection.

So with all the options out there please don't sit there and tell me that MySpace is the only place you can stay in touch with family online. Now that brings me back to my original statement. There needs to be a separate section for teens and adults. Use common sense, MySpace should ID everyone for the safety of all. Parents that have children under 14 should know better because it is against the MySpace rules.

So again, with all the options available for families to stay in touch with each other, why do people feel they need be part of a social network that has children, or like the articles states, a lot of children. Parents want to keep an eye on their children? There are other ways to do this as well.

I am one of those rare people that has actually watched what my kids where doing online. That didn't mean I had to join everything they did. They play Sims Online, I did NOT join Sims to keep an eye on them, I did other things. It had nothing to do with me not trusting them and they know this.

[wiccantexan]

And by the way...that goes for all the women who are "predators" too. There are PLENTY of them out there but it's just looked at differently.
Posted by dragonmouse at 01:57 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Tell me about it! My husband, age 51, recently deleted his MySpace account because he was tired of all the inbox spam of pretty (often scantily clothed) females who wanted him to "come look at my site." A legitimate user chased off by stupid women.

[mercyme884]

Seems to me that when talking about the internet you have no givens so why talk about age limits? You never know who you are talking to anyway.Because you can say anything you want make up a ton of lies. Tell some 13 year old ,assuming she put her right age and tell her you are 17 when you are actually 45 but surprise! surprise! She is 51 what a disappointment for both the perverts.

[dragonmouse-2009]

I personally am not a fan of My Space. I don't like the idea of putting everything about your person out there for anybody to check out. I EMAIL friends. Yeah I know somebody can get to that too but...It's not like just "advertising". But...different strokes. What I can't understand is these MORONS who are on My Space looking for kids. Will these people EVER wake up???

Not only would I like to see them all arrested I'd like to see them removed from the gene pool. And by the way...that goes for all the women who are "predators" too. There are PLENTY of them out there but it's just looked at differently.

[dayebreak]

MySpace has refused the demands of a task force of State Attorney Generals to segregate the minors from the adults, use an age verification system, or raise the minimum age. Instead MySpace blamed everything on RSOs without documentation and enlisted McCain to draft legislation favorable to MySpace (Murdoch's) business interests. They want federal assistance in denying all RSOs access to the Internet, including those engaged in legal conduct, and this is a first step.
For a detailed history and overview of what is truly behind all this, and the sad realization that the mainstream media is behind the curve, check out this diary: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/31/142742/315.

[mandylou4u]

If you decide to have children, make sure you take the time to raise them! Make time to talk to them about predators and if you don't like what they are looking at online, block that site. This is not hard people! You have the ability in this day and age to control a whole lot more than you think. Be savy with your kids and let them know the real deal. Don't raise your kids to be followers, raise them to be leaders!

[wiccantexan]

You realize, of course, that if MySpace were limited to under 18, all the Presidental candidates with MySpace profiles would have to go elsewhere to get the attention of young voters and the upcoming generation.

[ov442]

GOOD about the catching the scumbags, i have 4 kids and everytime they catch one of them and put them behind bars its one less scumbag to threaten my and everyone else's kids.

[ov442]

moonfire1---
Myspace isnt a kids site ...read will ya?
Its a social networking site.
I am 35 and i have friends from school on there, people that live far away, local Bands, national bands, individual musicians, comedians, family members, extended family members, Politicians, etc.
Myspace is for everyone, but lots of kids use it for their social networking too.

[wiccantexan]

Thanks for providing the information; fathers are the blame for this problem -there are no fathers in most homes- women are carrying most of the burden of raising kids-
Posted by leopoldthelm at 10:56 AM : Jun 15, 2007

What has that got to do with logging onto the Internet? Do you feel that women are incapable of passing along morals, teaching children about sexual predators and safety online?

[leopoldthelm]

. . .good substance report. I saw the reporter on CBS News, I just don't like watching CBS for my evening news, BUT I have to see what my adopted news reporter is doing. . . looking great and blessed (fruits of prayers)! It was great as usual.

Thanks for providing the information; fathers are the blame for this problem -there are no fathers in most homes- women are carrying most of the burden of raising kids-

[wiccantexan]

Why would anyone 18+ want to be on a social network with kids? Wouldn't it be better to have a separate social network for 18 ?

Of course it would make more sense for parents to watch what their kids are doing, but they are to busy for that.
Posted by moonfire1 at 11:41 PM : Jun 14, 2007

I'm on MySpace (age 43) to keep in touch with my 15-yr-old nephew, college daughter. My nephew's father (age 49) is on MySpace to keep track of his son.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons for 18 folks to be there. For one, MySpace is a hot spot for band/music promotion; that was its initial intent. The adult musicians have a teen audience. It would make no sense to separate the two.

[moonfire1-2009]

If it is so popular with kids and young people, why not set an age limit. They already have the minimum age, which is 14. Why not have the maximum age 17? Why would anyone 18+ want to be on a social network with kids? Wouldn't it be better to have a separate social network for 18 ?

We don't let kids run into traffic or play in the street.
We don't let kids wander in the woods if the woods are known to have bears, mountain lions or wolves.

Maybe we as a society should start having "kids only" and "adults only" We do it for movies, do we not? We do it for bars our other inappropriate places off line, so why not the internet?

The internet is not one large video game for kids.

Of course it would make more sense for parents to watch what their kids are doing, but they are to busy for that.

[lastdance2]

Ever wonder why : Age 14 is the limit ? ? ?

Remember : Congressman Foley and the Page.
(18yrs old - 3years) = 15 years old.
Every Year :
Foley and the Page needed, to have their security
clearances upgraded, and dated current.

The FBI : Knew about that relationship
For Three Years ! ! !
They said and did : "Nothing"

It was someone else - Who disclosed it ! ! !

The FBI supported that relationship.
The FBI authorized that relationship.
The FBI endorsed that relationship.

The FBI should of been charged with :
"Solicitation, of a minor for immoral purposes"

"Guilty - By Association"

Little wonder why - The FBI did a closed door investigation.

Even : "J. Edgar Hoover" (FBI Director)
Often enjoyed : A romp in bed with : "Young Boys"

Video tapped - Testimony : From former FBI agents :
Describing how - They delivered children - For S*e*x*
Is evidence to that ! ! ! !

Lastdance